The 4th of July is always a big fat party at our house. The streets are closed off, old fashioned pie baking contests take place and there is always a big bright shiny firetruck for all to climb aboard. Then the grilling begins, all pull their Webers out basking in the glow of the coals, anticipating the show. And the big bang never disappoints. BOOM!
All Photography by Paul Cabanis
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Impressions upon taking leave of Balenciaga in Spain, at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, March 26-July 4, 2011. This major exhibition traces the deep influence of the Spanish masters—from Zubarán, Velázquez, and Goya to Picasso and Miró—on the protean Balenciaga's designs. It also investigates the legacy of his native Spain''s religious dress and ceremony, it's lavish royal court, the tradition of flamenco dance, the drama of the bullfight, and the distinctive costumes of the country's diverse regions. As one emerged from the show it was difficult not to want to participate in the romance of the culture and let the influence of this exceptional designer take hold.
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Kristina Fetkovich, Greetings from Woodside NY —
Summer was a BLAST! I can't believe it’s really over. I had so many fun adventures right here in Queens, like frolicking amongst the wildlife in Flushing Meadow Park. We traveled outside the borough too, spending long weekends on the longest of islands for fireworks and libations, and taking never-ending drives into the far reaches of central New York State. My sunburns are a distant memory now, but the photos will last a lifetime, so long as I back up my hard-drive! Hope to see you all at Christmas!
Luv, kfetko. … [Read more...]

Robert Stivers, Head with Open Mouth, 1995
Gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 in.
Collection of the Akron Art Museum, Gift of George Stephanopoulos
Arnold Tunstall at the Arkon Art Museum, a gem of a museum in a formerly grand industrial city –recently introduced me to the work of Robert Stivers. Mr. Tunstall had organized an exhibit of 40 of Stivers photographs that the museum owns. The work was striking, and the exhibition –hung in a patchwork style– displayed the work perfectly. It gave the impression that each image was trying to reach out of the frame to say something and consequently the room, though eerily silent, felt activated. The images have a pulsating aura, that might emit light in the dark. The feeling was both disconcerting … [Read more...]